A Life Story
Maria Trosdal Sparkman, 92, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and under the compassionate care of her devoted caregivers and hospice staff. Known to all as Ria, she was born on July 9, 1934, at Telfair Hospital in Savannah to Maria Nelson Davis of Atlanta and Einar Storm Trosdal, Jr. of Savannah. Ria spent an idyllic childhood on Wilmington Island, where she loved riding her horse along island trails, often all the way to the causeway leading to Tybee Island. She attended The Pape School (now Savannah Country Day School) and graduated from The Knox School in Cooperstown, New York. Ria began her college education at Duke University and later attended the University of Florida, though she remained a lifelong Blue Devils fan. While at Duke, Ria met the love of her life, Charles Lee Sparkman, Jr. They were married in 1955 and enjoyed 50 wonderful years together until his passing in 2006. Together, they raised three children and embraced every moment as a family—cheering on the Savannah Country Day Hornets across the Coastal Empire and spending cherished weekends on the May River in Bluffton, South Carolina. Like her parents, Ria was entirely in her element near a river, whether casting a shrimp net, playing tennis, or opening her home to family and friends. A woman of deep faith and community spirit, Ria was a longtime parishioner of St. John’s Church and served for decades as a docent at the historic Green-Meldrim House. She was member of the Junior League of Savannah, Trustees Garden Club and the National Society of the Colonial Dames. Ria was particularly dedicated to the youth of Savannah, serving as a mentor and board member for both the former Savannah Home for Girls and the Bethesda Home for Boys (now Bethesda Academy). With a sharp mind for organization and finance, she took special pride in serving as treasurer for many of these organizations, including the Women’s Board of Bethesda and its Endowment Board during periods of major campus expansion. To know Ria was to know her love for dogs. Throughout her life, her canine companions brought her immense joy. Once her children were grown, Ria threw herself into dog training and competition, traveling the Southeast with her husband to compete in obedience and agility events. She earned several AKC Master Agility Championship titles with her beloved Brittany Spaniels, Border Collie, and Papillon. Later in life, she channeled this passion into service through Therapy Dogs International. Alongside her therapy dog, Lindy, Ria brought comfort to countless patients at Hospice Savannah and Azalealand Nursing Home, an effort recognized when she received TDI’s top volunteer honor. The family extends its deepest gratitude to Ria’s dedicated caregivers for their loving care during her final years, especially Amanda Welsh, Shaniece Rawlings, and Vera Henneghan. Ria was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Sparkman, Jr.; her son, Keith Carter Sparkman; and her parents. She is survived by her siblings, Einar Trosdal and Lucy (Lewis) Little; and her three children: Charles Lee (Cy) Sparkman III of Charlottesville, VA; Sylvia (Charles) Coker of Bluffton, SC; and Lucy (Mark) Crosswell of Bluffton, SC. She also leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren: Paige (Brandon) Sparkman, Charles (Meaghan) Sparkman, Carter (Alex) Simpson, Carrie (Matt) Kuykendall, Eliza (Jack) Sheldon, Joanie Coker (Neil Fitzgerald), Reidar (Olivia) Crosswell, Maria Crosswell, and Ellie Crosswell; along with thirteen great- grandchildren and many grand dogs. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 24th at 11 o’clock at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends after the service in the Parish House at St. John’s Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Church or Hospice Savannah.